Northwest India Braces For Heavy Rainfall As Monsoon Advances
The southwest monsoon continued its northward march on Friday, reaching more parts of central and north India, with heavy rainfall lashing East Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of the northeast. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast widespread rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds across the country, as isolated heavy to very heavy showers threaten to disrupt normal life in multiple regions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the southwest monsoon has now covered East Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and most of Uttarakhand. Intense rainfall has been recorded across several states including Assam, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. These regions will continue to experience very heavy downpours over the weekend, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds ranging between 40 to 50 kmph.
Heavy rainfall has also impacted western India, with districts across Gujarat, Konkan, Goa, and Madhya Maharashtra witnessing torrential showers. The weather office has issued advisories for increased rainfall intensity between June 22 and 24, particularly along the Western Ghats and coastal belts. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu is battling hot and humid conditions due to weak monsoonal penetration into the southern peninsula.
In Delhi, the sky remained generally cloudy, with short bursts of rain and gusty winds expected throughout the day. The capital is forecast to receive more consistent monsoon showers by June 24, three days ahead of the typical onset. Isolated rainfall also affected parts of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, with very heavy rain expected in eastern Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh over the next 48 hours.
Maharashtra experienced widespread heavy rainfall, causing rivers to rise above the danger mark in several districts. While no formal red alerts have been issued, IMD projections suggest moderate to heavy rainfall across the state on June 22, including in Mumbai and Pune. On the eastern front, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are also expected to see continuous rainfall due to strong easterly winds.
With the monsoon progressing steadily and forecasts predicting widespread rainfall over the next week, authorities across India remain on alert for localised flooding, infrastructure disruptions, and potential crop impacts. While the rains are critical for agriculture, the evolving weather conditions necessitate close monitoring and timely advisories to minimise damage. The IMD will issue daily updates as the monsoon advances deeper into northern and western India.
